As fun as southern Bali can be, the crowds can sometimes get overwhelming. Sometimes you just want to escape the hustle and bustle and spend some time in nature. Luckily, Aling Aling Waterfall remains a relatively unspoiled destination.
It’s easily one of the coolest natural wonders in North Bali because it’s not just one waterfall, it’s a connected set of waterfalls and amazing scenery that people call Sambangan Secret Garden.
If you’re looking for a fun excursion on your Bali holiday, you’ve found it. Unlike most other spots where you just stand and look at the water, here you’re encouraged to slide and cliff jump and have fun.
The Aling Aling Waterfall area is home to a series of four waterfalls that are perfect for taking amazing Instagram photos and for learning to jump from the surrounding cliffs into the water below.
Whether you’re on your first trip to Indonesia or you’re an experienced traveller, this is the essential info you need to make the most of your journey to the northern region of the island.
Where Is Aling Aling Waterfall?
Aling Aling Waterfall is situated in North Bali, specifically in Sambangan Village. It’s located in the mountains, very close to the mountain town of Bedugul and the coastal town of Lovina.
If you’re coming from somewhere in the south of Bali, like Ubud or Canggu, it’s about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to reach the falls.
Because it’s located in the Sambangan Valley, the area feels much more authentic and lush compared to the built-up tourist areas in the south. You’ll find yourself surrounded by rice fields, dense jungle, and authentic farms.
For most travellers, the distance means this is best done as a long day trip or an overnight stay in the northern region. It’s also in the vicinity of the famous Sekumpul Waterfall, so you can easily combine these if you’re staying in the area for a couple of days.
The location is relatively remote, which is why it hasn’t been completely overrun by mass tourism yet.
The exact location is: Jl. Raya Desa Sambangan, Sambangan, Kec. Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81161.
How Do I Get To Aling Aling Waterfall?
Getting to Aling Aling Waterfall is a bit of a journey, but there are a few ways to handle it depending on your confidence and budget.
Hiring a Private Car and Driver
For most people, hiring a private car and driver is the best way to get to Aling Aling Waterfall. It’s a long trip from the south, and navigating the twisty roads of North Bali can be exhausting.
A private driver for the day typically costs around 500,000 IDR. This gives you a safe place to leave your wet clothes and valuables while you’re out cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pool.
Renting a Scooter
You can rent a scooter and drive out here, but we don’t usually recommend that for this specific trip unless you’re staying in the northern region already. Bali’s roads aren’t great in the first place, and out in the north, they’re worse than usual.
However, if you’re a confident rider, it’s the most flexible way to visit. Just make sure you have a helmet and an international motorbike license.
Group Tours
The best way to get to Aling Aling Waterfall if you’re solo or on a budget is to join a waterfall tour. These group tours often bundle Aling waterfall with other epic waterfalls like Gitgit or Sekumpul waterfall.
It’s infinitely safer when someone else does the driving, and it’s often cheaper than a private car.
Rideshare Apps
You can use Grab or Gojek to get there from the south, but be warned: getting a ride back can be a nightmare. These apps don’t work well in remote villages like Sambangan. If you use a taxi, negotiate a price for them to wait for you.
When Is Aling Aling Waterfall Open?
The Aling Aling Waterfall opening hours are usually between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. While some visitors say that they’ve been able to enter until 6:00 PM, we recommend getting there early.
It starts getting dark in the jungle quickly, and you don’t want to be navigating the stairs in the twilight.
The absolute best time to visit is in the early morning, right when they open at 8:00 AM. This helps you avoid the larger crowds and wait times for the cliff jumping.
It also makes the climb back up the stairs more bearable before the midday heat hits. Even at 8:00 AM, the humidity in the canyon can be pretty intense.
In terms of time of year, the dry season (April to early October) is the perfect time for a visit. The water is clearer, and the trails aren’t as slippery. During the rainy season (late October to March), the waterfall can become too intense, and the path can be dangerous.
If there’s been heavy rain, the guides might even close the jumping spots for safety because the water levels in the pool can become unpredictable.
Is There An Entrance Fee? How Much Is It?
When you arrive, you’ll see a small office building in the car park. You need to stop here to buy your ticket. The entrance fee structure at Sambangan Secret Garden is a bit different than other falls in Bali.
Viewing Only: 20,000 IDR. This allows you to walk down and look at the four waterfalls, but you can’t swim, slide, or cliff jump. This is basically just a trekking fee.
Jumping & Swimming Package: 125,000 IDR. This is the most popular option and includes a local guide, a life jacket, and access to all the activities. The price usually covers all three jumping waterfalls.
Long Trek/Blue Lagoon: 250,000 IDR to 500,000 IDR. These prices are for extended tours that include the Blue Lagoon and more remote parts of the jungle.
Don’t try to save money by buying a viewing ticket and then jumping anyway. You’ll be caught and fined up to 250,000 IDR, and more importantly, you’re risking your life. The guides are there to give you proper instructions, to make sure you land safely in the deep water.
What To Pack For Aling Aling Waterfall?
You don’t need a suitcase full of gear, but a few essentials will make the experience much better:
Footwear: The path has cement stairs, but near the water, it’s slippery. Wear shoes with good traction or sturdy sandals.
Leave the thongs or flip flops at the hotel if you plan on doing the cliff jumps. Appropriate footwear is the difference between a fun day and a twisted ankle.
Swimwear and Change of Clothing: You’re going to get soaked. Wet clothes don’t dry fast in the humid northern Bali air, so try to bring a dry set for the ride home.
Towel: Essential for drying off between the multiple waterfalls.
Waterproof Bag: Even if you don’t swim, the mist from the main waterfall can damage your electronics. A small dry bag will save your phone and photo gear.
Waterproof Camera: A GoPro is perfect for the cliff jumping. If you’re using a phone, make sure it has a waterproof case and a wrist strap so you don’t lose it in the natural pool.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray: You’ll be in the sun and the jungle, so protect yourself from sunburn and mosquitoes.
Cash: Everything here is cash-only. Bring enough for the entrance fee, snacks, and a tip for your guide.
What Is The Experience At Aling Aling Waterfall?
The short walk from the car park takes about 10-15 minutes down a set of well-maintained cement stairs. Along the way, you’ll pass through rice fields and see the locals going about their day.
Once you’re at the bottom, you’re in the heart of the Sambangan Secret Garden. The layout is pretty straightforward: you can turn right for the main waterfall or left for the adventure spots.
Waterfall 1: Aling Aling The first waterfall you’ll probably see is the main waterfall itself. Aling Aling Waterfall is a massive double waterfall that falls from a height of 30 meters down a craggy rock cliff. It’s really beautiful and surrounded by neon-green ferns and moss.
But it’s important to keep in mind that Aling Aling is a sacred place. This means there is strictly no swimming, jumping, or entering the water here. The force of the falls is very strong and we would advise you to avoid them.
There’s a viewing platform for photos where you can feel the mist, but watch your step, the rocks are very slippery.
Waterfall 2: Kroya Waterfall Walking downstream for about a minute will take you to the more popular section of the falls. Kroya Waterfall is where the fun really starts.
It’s the first waterfall most people jump from. It has a 5-meter cliff jump from a cement platform. It’s a great warm up for the higher jumps that follow.
The highlight here is the natural slide. You’ll put on a life jacket, sit in the water stream, and your guide will hold you before letting you go.
You’ll zip 12 meters down the rock and plunge into the natural pool. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other and arguably more fun than the jumps.
Waterfall 3: Kembar Waterfall Less than a minute’s walk away is Kembar Waterfall. The name translates to “twin” because of the two streams of water. This jump is 10 meters high, roughly twice the height of Kroya.
It’s a bit more intimidating, and you’ll want to follow your guide’s instructions perfectly to land in the deep pool. The water below is about 4 meters deep with a sandy bottom, so it’s perfectly safe if you jump where you’re told.
Waterfall 4: Pucuk Waterfall The final jump is at Pucuk Waterfall. This is, by far, the biggest jump at 15 meters (nearly 50 feet). It’s a huge cliff and requires a bit of a running start to clear the rock face. It’s an intimidating jump.
There’s no shame in skipping this one; it’s high, and the water can sting the bottom of your feet if you don’t land straight.
The Blue Lagoon: If you’ve opted for the longer waterfall tour or added it to your trek, you’ll hike about 50 minutes further to the Blue Lagoon. It’s a really nice looking, deep blue natural pool that’s perfect for a relaxing swim away from the cliff jumping crowds.
If the walk sounds like too much, you can actually drive a motorbike closer to it, even though the road is steep.
Photography At Aling Aling Waterfall
If you’re looking to get some awesome shots, Aling Aling Waterfall is one of the best locations in Bali, but shooting there has its challenges.
Technical Tips: To get that “silky” water effect at the main waterfall, you’ll need a tripod and a slow shutter speed. However, if you want to get a classic shot of someone jumping off a cliff you’ll need a fast shutter speed, like 1/2000.
Framing Your Shot: Use the jungle foliage or the surrounding rocks to frame the falls. The cement platform at Kroya is a great spot for candid shots of people preparing for their first jump.
Protect Your Gear: The spray from the waterfall is intense. Water gets everywhere. Use a weather-sealed camera if you have one.
If you’re shooting with a phone, keep a lens cloth handy because the mist will coat your lens almost immediately.
A GoPro is really the best tool for this location because you can take it into the pool with you.
Instagram vs. Reality: Be aware that the water in the natural pool isn’t always crystal clear. During the rainy season, it can turn light brown due to runoff from the rice fields.
It’s still great, but don’t expect that perfect “teal” look unless it’s been dry for a few days.
Things To Do Near Aling Waterfall
Brahma Vihara Arama
This is Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery and it feels like a mini-Borobudur.
It’s set in a beautiful hillside location, and it’s filled with pagodas, sculptures and an amazing replica of the famous Borobudur temple in Java.
Munduk Rice Terraces
If you’d really like to de-stress, after having fun in the falls, the Munduk Rice Terraces, make for a super tranquil place to relax.
These terraces are also much quieter and more authentic than the famous Tegalalang rice terraces in Ubud.
Lovina Beach
Want a complete change of pace? This is a laid-back beach, on the north coast, with volcanic black sand and very calm water. Famous for its sunrise dolphin tours.
Where To Eat At Aling Waterfall
The Bucu Aling Aling
Excellent Indonesian and Western food, from Soto Ayam to Burgers, just 200 metres from the falls.
Pizzeria Setapak
Located along the path to the falls, they offer authentic wood-fire Italian pizza at very reasonable prices.
Monk’s Kitchen Bali
In addition to well-prepared Indonesian and Western dishes, this restaurant has some extraordinary views of the rice terraces and the distant hills.
Where To Stay At Aling Aling Waterfall
Shanti Natural Panorama View Hotel
Located just a few hundred metres from the Aling Aling Waterfall, this is a great choice if you want to get to the falls very early.
It features an immaculately landscaped garden with stunning views, very big and clean rooms, and a very large swimming pool. Really beautiful property.
Interestingly, Google Maps lists this as a 2-star hotel, while Booking.com lists it as 5-stars. We think that the latter rating is much more accurate.
Maha Hills Resort By Mahaprana Experience
A really beautiful 4-star hotel with dramatic views of the mountains and rice terraces of northern Bali, this is a great choice if you desire to be really surrounded by nature.
It has very clean rooms with Balinese-inspired decor. Rooms also have gigantic balconies with legitimately jaw-dropping views of the mountains.
Virtually every review raves about the food as well.
They also offer guided hikes and tours to the Aling Aling Waterfall, so if you’d like everything handled for you, this is a great option.
Giriwood Hotel & Villa
A 4-star boutique hotel located in the mountains southwest of Aling Aling, this resort offers gorgeous dark-wood bungalows with private balconies and comfortable beds with immaculately clean linen.
The restaurant serves excellent Indonesian food with many Western options, as well.
A great combination of luxury and natural beauty.
FAQs
Do You Need A Guide For Aling Aling Waterfall?
Yes, if you want to do anything other than look.
While you can pay the 20,000 IDR fee just to hike and take a look, a local guide is mandatory for anyone who wants to swim, use the waterslide, or cliff jump. They are trained to keep you safe and know exactly where the rocks are hidden under the water.
Using a local guide is also a great way to support the people of Sambangan village and the local economy.
How To Reach The Aling Aling Waterfall?
The most common way to reach Aling Aling Waterfall is by hiring a private car and driver from Ubud or Canggu. It’s about an 80km trip that takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. The road leading to the falls is well-maintained and has ample signage.
How Much does It Cost To Go To The Aling Aling Waterfall?
As of 2026, the entrance fee is 20,000 IDR for viewing only. For the full experience with a guide, life jacket, and jumping access, it costs 125,000 IDR. If you want to include the Blue Lagoon, you’ll have to pay around 250,000 IDR for a guided tour.
Is Aling Aling Safe?
Yes, Aling Aling Waterfall is perfectly safe as long as you follow the advice of your guide. They’ll tell you exactly from where you should jump, so you can avoid any rocks and hazards.
The vast majority of people who have a bad experience are usually those who try to jump without a guide or ignore safety warnings.
Final Thoughts On Aling Aling Waterfall
So, is Aling Aling Waterfall worth the long drive to North Bali? Absolutely.
It’s one of the best waterfall experiences in Bali because it’s so interactive. Instead of just taking a photo and leaving, you’re spending hours cliff jumping, water sliding, and swimming in the jungle.
The short hike is doable for most people with a basic level of fitness, and even younger children can enjoy the smaller 5-meter jump or the swimming area at Kroya Waterfall.
It offers great value since you get to see four waterfalls in one location for a relatively low price.
If you’re visiting Bali and want to escape the tourist-trap feel of the south, Aling Aling Waterfall and the Sambangan Secret Garden is a perfect destination. It’s a great spot to reconnect with nature and experience a bit of excitement.
Just remember to have fun, listen to your guide, and take a ton of photos.
